My Orchid bud is dying! :(

[Viva_La_Revolution]

I salvaged this little guy from a trash can. 3 stalks, 8 leaves, and a fading bloom. Brought it home and just gave it a little water now and then. I was so excited when it shot a new bud and grew to 3 inches tall!
This morning the new shoot is lying limp, seems the stem at the soil has given way.

I don't even know what variety it is. :shrug: I have no experience with orchids... can anyone help?

[Imalittleteapot]

1. First

What do the leaves look like?

Second:
Do not let the pot sit in water. Put the pot in a saucer with gravel. Water in the saucer will humidfy the plant, but the gravel will keep the pot out of the water.

Third:
Your orchid will benefit being outside if it's warm. Until you identify it, keep it in dappled shade (no hot sun) and water twice a week or more if it is very hot.

Go to orchids.com to see if you can identify the orchid by its leaves. If you can, I think they will give you culture instructions.

AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE DYING BUD. CUT IT OFF. With good care, feeding and patience, you will be rewarded with blooms later.

Good luck.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. thanks for the tips!

I checked, and it was sitting in water, I guess I've been to generous the past few days. :(

It really seems to like it here in my room, lots of bright indirect light, and it's too cold outside for it yet, I think. We're still hitting the low 50's at night, and the days haven't been much over 65.

off to check out orchids.com ...

Thanks again. :)

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. Pictures!

I've spent hours looking online for anything close. no luck yet. :(


13 inches tall from roots. faded flower was pinkish, on a long stem as tall as the bamboo support.


Close up of the leaves - thick and stiff, I've had a few on the shorter stalks yellow and fall off.


Close up of roots and fallen shoot. Does it need more soil or a bigger pot?

[spinbaby]

4. It's a dendrobium of some kind

Let it dry out between waterings, never let it sit in water, give it a half-shaded spot outside.

Personally, I've found that dendrobiums drop buds a lot--don't let it worry you.

[Imalittleteapot]

5. Dendrobium Culture here

http://www.orchids.com/support/supportCareTips_Dendrobium.html

Great plant you have. Looks like transplanting it to a larger pot would be a benefit. My only dendrobium is tiny and I really don't know that much about them. Yours looks very healthy.

Good luck. If this is your first orchid, look out. They are addictive. I now have over 20.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. I couldn't believe someone just threw it away!

but a good third of the plants I have were rescued in one way or another, some were in really bad shape.

Pitiful little thing when I got it 3 years ago. 3 leaves, and one of them was dead. He's feeling much better now...


This was an easy one. gave it fresh dirt, regular water and lots of sun.

[ruiner4u]

7. it looks pretty strong..

dont worry about the bud falling off.. If it had just flowered, the bud dropping is a good thing. More energy for the plant after being distressed.

First off, the pot you have it in is the wrong kind. You need a clay pot that has large holes, or looks like it has 'lines' cut out. Second I cant tell what kind of soil you are using cause its blurry.. you never ever ever use regular soil for an orchid. Look for orchid mix at a garden center. Its pretty much a mix different size bark chunks, and other mass mixed in. houseplant soil will kill an orchid.

Orchids are not like garden or houseplants that grow in soil. Orchids in the wild grow in trees <on the branches, in horizontal spots on the tree that collect leaf matter. Their thick roots 'stick' to the bark to anchor the plant and also 'suck out' moisture from the bark.

mist the roots you see every other day or so... After you get it in bark mix, you can set the pot in a bucket for a few hours to let the bark saturate.. just dont let the water touch the crown of the plant..

[flying_wahini]

8. I think you overwatered it..... they like to get dry and warm,

they like to be fed with every watering,

It could use repotting, wait until the blooming stem dries up,
then repot with just orchid potting "soil" (chips)...